Attention Chula Vista Housing Providers: We Need You to Speak Up!
Chula Vista Ordinance Not Moving to City Council for Now
Congratulations Housing Providers! The proposed Landlord and Tenant Ordinance will not be moving forward to the City Council next month. Thank you for attending the Housing Advisory Commission meeting, sending dozens of emails, and submitting an overwhelming amount of eComment. The Commission heard comment yesterday evening from nearly 40 speakers and read through public comment submitted for yesterday's meeting as well as the previously scheduled meeting which was cancelled due to technical issues.
The Housing Advisory Commission recommended that city staff postpone taking the draft ordinance to the City Council on February 15. Some concerns voiced by commissioners include protecting "mom & pop landlords," addressing provisions for mobile homes, and assessing the impact on the future of Chula Vista's housing stock.
This isn't over! Because the directive was a "council referral," something will eventually need to go to Council.
Chula Vista Tenant Ordinance Hearing Scheduled for January 31
The City of Chula Vista has rescheduled its Housing Advisory Commission meeting for this coming Monday, January 31, at 6:00 PM. The meeting this Monday will be in-person and we need members to attend and speak against the one-sided Tenant Protection Ordinance. Supporters of the ordinance will show up and speak in support, so we need to balance the room. The ability to email comments and submit an eComment will still be available.
As soon as the agenda is available, SCRHA will send out an Action Alert with information on how to speak at the meeting and register your opposition. Please make sure you are signed up to receive SCRHA Action Alerts. Click here to sign up today!
Tenant Ordinance Delayed - Housing Meeting Canceled
Shortly before the meeting was to begin, the Southern California Rental Housing Association (SCRHA) received notification that the City of Chua Vista Housing Advisory Commission meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, was canceled.
SCRHA expressed concerns to the City regarding the ability for public comment via the eComment portal. Many members reported not being able to submit comment. The City notified SCRHA of the following:
Due to technical issues with tonight’s agenda and Brown Act Requirements, the meeting of the Housing Advisory Commission for this evening (1/19/22) at 6:00 p.m. has been canceled.
Staff will work to reschedule for an “in-person” meeting within the next week or two. Notice will be sent to you with further information.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
SCRHA will share details on the rescheduled meeting as soon as they become available. Please be ready to make your voice heard again! This item will come back and those in support will now have more time to mobilize.
Attention Chula Vista Housing Providers: WE NEED YOU TO SPEAK UP!
A draft of the Tenant Protection Ordinance will be going to the city's Housing Advisory Commission for a vote tomorrow, Wednesday, January 19, at 6:00 p.m.
WE NEED YOU TO SUBMIT COMMENT & MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Please email HAC@chulavistaca.gov and ask them to oppose Item 5.1, the Tenant Protection Ordinance.
Suggested Talking Points in Opposition to the Proposed Ordinance:
- The creation of the ordinance has been rushed and will require housing providers to learn a whole new set of complicated rules within 30 days.
- The ordinance as drafted creates a divide between housing providers and their residents and will close important lines of communication.
- Additional harassment laws, criminal penalties, and private remedies could force owners out of business and will deter investment in rental properties.
- Costly relocation payments will discourage rental property upgrades.
* Please share how additional regulation, costly lawsuits, and significant relocation costs will impact you and your rental business.
The ordinance goes far beyond protections in state law. Here is some of what the ordinance would do...
- Create new anti-harassment laws and allow for civil action and damages of $2,000-5,000 per violation.
- Criminalize any violation of the ordinance and create fines in the thousands of dollars.
- Require additional noticing periods and increased relocation payments when removing a property from the rental market, demolishing a building, or doing a substantial remodel.